Functional disability in the hospitalized elderly
G. A. Warshaw, J. T. Moore, S. W. Friedman, C. T. Currie, D. C. Kennie, W. J. Kane and P. A. Mears
Little documentation exists concerning the extent of functional disability
in the hospitalized elderly and the impact of this disability on the care
of these patients. A physician-led survey was conducted in a 400-bed
community hospital of 279 patients aged 70 or more years. Considerable
age-correlated disability was documented. Fifty-four percent of the
patients aged 85 years or older were moderately or severely disoriented.
Thirty-four percent had impaired hearing, 40% had impaired vision, and 25%
had speech impairments. More than half of the patients 75 years or older
needed assistance with activities of daily living. Modern hospital design
and services may interfere with functional recovery. Evaluation of special
care units to minimize the hazards of hospitalizing the elderly is
recommended.
